View a video of the entire recycling process. When you recycle an aluminum soda can, it does something few other containers can do: it reappears back on the shelf, probably in 60 days or less, as a brand new soda can. That's because the can's aluminum materials are specially engineered for 100% recycling, with no waste and a minimum of energy input. The world uses billions and billions of cans every year. That's why can recycling is such an important part of the greenhouse picture.